Baltimore Orioles: Can’t Blame the Pitching

Jul 23, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman (30) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles had a late 2-1 lead turn into a 3-2 loss in the final of three games in Anaheim against the Angels on Wednesday night.

Likely most people will remember this game for being one where Brian Matusz walked in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. But the Orioles need to score a few more runs in such games, as a pitching staff that holds a team like the Angels to three runs should most often get a win for the effort.

Over the three-game series, the Orioles pitching staff posted an ERA of 2.08. LA was 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position last night and 3-for-25 in the whole series.

All three of the Baltimore Orioles starters pitched well and battled over the series. Bud Norris, Miguel Gonzalez, and Chris Tillman made quality pitch after pitch in critical situations.

This was game #100 on the season, and the Orioles are now 55-45. Both the Yankees and Blue Jays won, so the lead in the AL East drops to three games. And the Rays won their 16th game in the last 20 to close to within seven games of the Orioles. Will this cause them to hold onto David Price?

After the Oakland series, any O’s fan would have been pleased to select two wins in this series, and that is what the Orioles managed.

Now it is on to Seattle for a tough four-game series with the Mariners. Wei-Yin Chen will get the ball for the O’s on Thursday night. He is currently 10-3 with a 4.21 ERA and has been pitching well. He is 0-2 in his career against the Mariners, though only four on the current Seattle roster have any at-bats against him. Robinson Cano is 4-for-18 with a home run.

For Seattle, Hisashi Iwakuma will take his 8-4 record and 2.95 ERA to the mound. He has only ever pitched five innings against the Orioles. Chris Davis and Delmon Young each have a home run against him, while Nelson Cruz is 4-for-17.

Check back later for an article on Nelson Cruz.